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Outback Saga #3
Walk About
Wrested from the primordial Australian wilderness, Tibooburra Station has taken the blood, sweat, and tears of generations of Kerricks and given them a magnificent heritage in return. But now the golden legacy of the outback station is threatened by the disappearance of the young boy who will one day inherit it all. Fleeing the pain of being abandoned by his mother, eight-year-old Jeremy Kerrick wanders the rough-and-ready gold towns of the frontier and comes to manhood among the primitive Aborigines of the vast, unexplored interior. At one with the land, he draws from it an indomitable strength that enables him to win the woman of his dreams. Together, they will meet the challenge of the outback or die trying."
480 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1992
277 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
April 17, 2019
This was the first book I have read by Aaron Fletcher and it kept me awake all night and I never wanted it to end...A very interesting STORY!
March 10, 2018
I enjoyed the descriptions of the land, the animals, the way the people in the outback learn to use, not tame the land.
December 14, 2025
Beautifully written. The first half of the book was so mesmerizing I couldn't put it down. Then, I occassioned on a need to put the book down after entering into the second half. I had a hard time picking it back up because I was unwilling to let the character progress past what had become a way of life to me; the walkabout.
Don't worry, it doesn't stop at part two, just changes.
This is an intricately woven tale whose vastness in physicality is matched by the richness of characters cast and viewed up close. All believable, all very different.
Walkabout is for you if you have ever wondered what a walkabout is, in Australian Outback terms.
The author's style is open, as best I can guess. Neither the harsh outback nor the intricately woven city life seem beyond the author's abilities. Top choice!
Don't worry, it doesn't stop at part two, just changes.
This is an intricately woven tale whose vastness in physicality is matched by the richness of characters cast and viewed up close. All believable, all very different.
Walkabout is for you if you have ever wondered what a walkabout is, in Australian Outback terms.
The author's style is open, as best I can guess. Neither the harsh outback nor the intricately woven city life seem beyond the author's abilities. Top choice!
January 16, 2011
The bad guys are two dimensional, the characters are subjected to rollercoaster rides emotionally, without having the reader all that emotionally involved, but this was still an absorbing and fun read.
February 17, 2018
Walk About by Aaron Fletcher
This story was to me a story that I felt I would like to have been in. It is a historical fiction novel of Australia set in the early 1800. It is about a family who came to the country to settle a new country but not as criminal outcasts. They were early in settling the country and were granted huge tracts of land to raise Sheep on by the new government. The area they homesteaded was called the outback and even today it is a challenging area to live in. The ranchers would shear their sheep and ship the wool to England for the mills. The price the wool brought was what supported the local economy. The original settlers were from wealthy English family who were not going to prosper in England being younger sons who need to leave if they wanted to stay in the upper class. The story is set around an establish family who due to their position and wealth form the banks, stores, transportation, law and those things that a nation needs to maintain civilization. Their lives, loves, homes, business ventures makes a very good fast moving story to read.
This story was to me a story that I felt I would like to have been in. It is a historical fiction novel of Australia set in the early 1800. It is about a family who came to the country to settle a new country but not as criminal outcasts. They were early in settling the country and were granted huge tracts of land to raise Sheep on by the new government. The area they homesteaded was called the outback and even today it is a challenging area to live in. The ranchers would shear their sheep and ship the wool to England for the mills. The price the wool brought was what supported the local economy. The original settlers were from wealthy English family who were not going to prosper in England being younger sons who need to leave if they wanted to stay in the upper class. The story is set around an establish family who due to their position and wealth form the banks, stores, transportation, law and those things that a nation needs to maintain civilization. Their lives, loves, homes, business ventures makes a very good fast moving story to read.
May 29, 2018
I read this series of 5 books while visiting Australia. This is book #3. I enjoy learning history through historical fiction. I am going to leave the same review for all 5 books. I enjoyed the first two books because I felt I learned quite a bit about the aborigine culture, the transportation of convicts to Australia, and the beginnings of the giant sheep stations. However, I found the subsequent three books not as good. The author basically used the same boy-meets-girl formula as a focus in the final three books, and there was not as much history to be gleaned. In fact, I skimmed quickly through the "romance" scenes because they got rather abnoxious and over the top. This third book in the series was actually somewhere in between my rating between the first two and the last two, a 2-1/2 stars.
July 24, 2020
Loved it!
A family saga in Australia, right up my alley. A place I’ve always wanted to see since reading The Thornbirds.
I was bothered in the beginning, we meet Jeremy at 8 yrs of age(?} there is a traumatic event, a complete change in his life, barely speaks, and has no idea what’s going on. Then he meets a man and starts talking and seems wise and well spoken beyond his years! He is an Aborigine, and also talked in a very refined voice, their conversations bothered me quite a bit. Then I remembered what my favorite author, Bryce Courtenay, said about his book characters, your main character must be larger than life to move the story. Not quoted accurately but the main idea. Then I could accept Jeremy’s older and wiser ways.
I loved it and happy to find there are 2 more. Australia is also a character, such a wonderful and changing country.
Read it and love it.
A family saga in Australia, right up my alley. A place I’ve always wanted to see since reading The Thornbirds.
I was bothered in the beginning, we meet Jeremy at 8 yrs of age(?} there is a traumatic event, a complete change in his life, barely speaks, and has no idea what’s going on. Then he meets a man and starts talking and seems wise and well spoken beyond his years! He is an Aborigine, and also talked in a very refined voice, their conversations bothered me quite a bit. Then I remembered what my favorite author, Bryce Courtenay, said about his book characters, your main character must be larger than life to move the story. Not quoted accurately but the main idea. Then I could accept Jeremy’s older and wiser ways.
I loved it and happy to find there are 2 more. Australia is also a character, such a wonderful and changing country.
Read it and love it.
November 18, 2025
What I noticed in Aaron Fletcher's style is that he has boundless admiration and love for the vast Australian Outback territories. The way he describes the fields, the rivers, the animals and of course the sheep farms shows the strong bond between him and this land.
The author creates his characters in a repetitive and somewhat unrealistic manner (it's a bit hard to imagine noble ladies becoming experienced shepherds in a matter of days). However, this can be overlooked to some extent, given how engaging the story is. And it is gripping, because once you start any one of the books in the series, you just have to keep reading and unveil the fates of the Garrity and Kerrick dynasties.
The author creates his characters in a repetitive and somewhat unrealistic manner (it's a bit hard to imagine noble ladies becoming experienced shepherds in a matter of days). However, this can be overlooked to some extent, given how engaging the story is. And it is gripping, because once you start any one of the books in the series, you just have to keep reading and unveil the fates of the Garrity and Kerrick dynasties.
February 2, 2023
This is a surprisingly well written adventure that tells of a young Australian boy who runs off when his cancer stricken mother is returned to England to spend her final days. Found and taken as a companion by a wandering Aboriginal tracker, the man takes him under his wing and over several years teaches him all the ways of survival in the outback. Returning as a young man to his family, Jeremy is key to saving them from financial ruin and earning himself their undying gratitude. This is a good book and a great history lesson on the early Australian rural sheep raising culture.
December 11, 2018
The most wonderful story I've ever read. It is a reminder of what family means. A story that inspires one to believe in ones heritage. Now I must read Aaron Fletcher other stories. Thank you.
I would rate this ten stars. I enjoyed every word and look forward to his other books
My love to read such wonderful stories as this makes me so happy.
I would rate this ten stars. I enjoyed every word and look forward to his other books
My love to read such wonderful stories as this makes me so happy.
October 2, 2018
I’m so happy that I didn’t judge this book by its cover. If you have any interest in the history of Australia, it’s a must read. The author truly captures the essence of Oz. 🇦🇺
It’s also one in a series of five so if you like a serial historical fiction series this would be a great series to read.
It’s also one in a series of five so if you like a serial historical fiction series this would be a great series to read.
May 20, 2020
WoW!! What a great read ...
Reading this book was more like watching a movie .... the author’s writing is so vivid in its descriptions of the scenery and the feelings and emotions of the characters.
I recommend this read to everyone ... you will enjoy.
I found it difficult to put it down ......
Reading this book was more like watching a movie .... the author’s writing is so vivid in its descriptions of the scenery and the feelings and emotions of the characters.
I recommend this read to everyone ... you will enjoy.
I found it difficult to put it down ......
October 22, 2021
Words Are Inadequate to Describe How Good These Books Are
Aaron Fletcher is a "master of his craft". His history, characters, geographic descriptions and action scenes are "spot on". Note: Read these books about Tiboobura and Wayamba Stations (Aussie for ranches) in sequence
as you'll get confused by the number of characters, all important.
Aaron Fletcher is a "master of his craft". His history, characters, geographic descriptions and action scenes are "spot on". Note: Read these books about Tiboobura and Wayamba Stations (Aussie for ranches) in sequence
as you'll get confused by the number of characters, all important.
August 31, 2023
A very solid continuation in the series. This volume of the outback series seemed like it started out sideways, but the author pulled it all back together. Sure this series doesn't have the historical depth of a Michener book or the melodrama of The Australian series, but its a quick enjoyable read that is well worth it.
July 24, 2018
Fantastic
This was a very entertaining story. The author's description of the outback was excellent and beautiful. I related to the large tracts in comparison to the King ranch of Texas.
This was a very entertaining story. The author's description of the outback was excellent and beautiful. I related to the large tracts in comparison to the King ranch of Texas.
April 18, 2022
My favorite is part one. I enjoyed the comradery between Jarboe and Jeremy. There were some parts that were not very believable behavior for someone that young, but it’s still good. The romance was at some points too cliche. I did really dislike the bad guy.
July 15, 2018
The Australian Outback has always intrigued me and I found this novel to be captivating.
July 6, 2020
Walk about.
Another wonderful story of a great family,hard vicious times and people,won over by the love of a strong,amazing woman.Thoroughly enjoyed.
Another wonderful story of a great family,hard vicious times and people,won over by the love of a strong,amazing woman.Thoroughly enjoyed.
September 30, 2024
I’m ready to go on a walk about now
January 30, 2025
very engaging
Enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Learned a little something about Australia as well. And I like happy endings.
Enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Learned a little something about Australia as well. And I like happy endings.
June 18, 2019
Great adventure series about early Australia.
This series of novels ranks right up there with novels by Wilbur Smith, Jeffrey Archer, and Ken Follett. The ability to populate the adventure aspect with strong realistic characters makes this series very entertaining and readable. After reading these books, it makes one yearn to travel back to frontier Australia and live beside these people with their love for the land and each other.
This series of novels ranks right up there with novels by Wilbur Smith, Jeffrey Archer, and Ken Follett. The ability to populate the adventure aspect with strong realistic characters makes this series very entertaining and readable. After reading these books, it makes one yearn to travel back to frontier Australia and live beside these people with their love for the land and each other.
March 12, 2017
Vision of Australia
Interesting and well paced. Descriptive of the landscape and the times. I enjoyed the characters immensely. Well written and easy to read. I recommend to anyone who enjoys adventure, family, and "G' rated material. I like a respite from this century.
Interesting and well paced. Descriptive of the landscape and the times. I enjoyed the characters immensely. Well written and easy to read. I recommend to anyone who enjoys adventure, family, and "G' rated material. I like a respite from this century.
November 11, 2014
Writing about the creation of a society in a new land can be either a labor to determine which high points to hit, or a distillation of the essense of the result, and subsequently, a recording of some of the cultural profiles that created that society. In the first instance, things can be covered in one book, or maybe two, a mini-series on television, or a movie. A more complete approach requires a book for each spirit to be distilled, and will ultimately require a television series with multiple years running.
In creating his "Outback Saga" series, Aaron Fletcher distilled the essense of some of the people who built Australia, and put a small number of them into each book. In"Walkabout," he grants us the opportunity to see through his eyes what might have been the experiences of a young boy who managed to find a place in an Aboriginal culture, the man who brought him there, and the woman he eventually marries.
While these serve as a primary focus of the story, they are also new to the saga with this book. Other individuals from previous books wind through, bringing pieces of the history, short though it was, of European presence.
Each of these books COULD be read alone. however, it would, most likely, serve primarily to whet the appetite for the remainder.
At times, the acceptance of what happens by the characters is a little too complete. The characters outside the main story frequently take over for short periods of time, then vanish, and there is no attempt to show life through the eyes of the Aboriginal man (although that could be a very difficult thing do achieve anyway.) All in all, an excellent distillation of the characters contained, and a hint of their ultimate impact on the country.
In creating his "Outback Saga" series, Aaron Fletcher distilled the essense of some of the people who built Australia, and put a small number of them into each book. In"Walkabout," he grants us the opportunity to see through his eyes what might have been the experiences of a young boy who managed to find a place in an Aboriginal culture, the man who brought him there, and the woman he eventually marries.
While these serve as a primary focus of the story, they are also new to the saga with this book. Other individuals from previous books wind through, bringing pieces of the history, short though it was, of European presence.
Each of these books COULD be read alone. however, it would, most likely, serve primarily to whet the appetite for the remainder.
At times, the acceptance of what happens by the characters is a little too complete. The characters outside the main story frequently take over for short periods of time, then vanish, and there is no attempt to show life through the eyes of the Aboriginal man (although that could be a very difficult thing do achieve anyway.) All in all, an excellent distillation of the characters contained, and a hint of their ultimate impact on the country.
February 13, 2015
I am in love with These stories from Aaron Fletcher. All of the Outback ones. You get an almost overwhelming feeling for the outback and what it took to settle and live there. The detail that Mr Fletcher provides makes you feel like you are there with the sheep, dust, sweat & danger.
I loved this series so much that I had to have a bookstore order it for me 10 years ago because I couldn't find the original Outback. That was when I found there were more. Needless to say I went on a hunt and found them all.
If you are at all interested in Australia in the early years of settlement and want to learn more of the Outback and the people who settled in it, definitely give these books a read. They are just an awesome series.
I loved this series so much that I had to have a bookstore order it for me 10 years ago because I couldn't find the original Outback. That was when I found there were more. Needless to say I went on a hunt and found them all.
If you are at all interested in Australia in the early years of settlement and want to learn more of the Outback and the people who settled in it, definitely give these books a read. They are just an awesome series.
November 28, 2016
Good story, if a bit predictable
Interesting to read about life in Australia in the 1800s. The book has two flaws though: 1) The characters are very one-dimensional, either all evil or totally good, giving the book a rather infantile feel to it, and 2) The author is in dire need of a good editor, as every single page has run-on sentences, which I found to be quite annoying.
Interesting to read about life in Australia in the 1800s. The book has two flaws though: 1) The characters are very one-dimensional, either all evil or totally good, giving the book a rather infantile feel to it, and 2) The author is in dire need of a good editor, as every single page has run-on sentences, which I found to be quite annoying.
August 31, 2015
Fantastic!
What happens when a little white boy runs away, teams up with an Aborigines and decides to go on a "walkabout" that lasts for years, to find the Aborigines "home"? Then, much later he finds his own special "home". An enchanting read!!
What happens when a little white boy runs away, teams up with an Aborigines and decides to go on a "walkabout" that lasts for years, to find the Aborigines "home"? Then, much later he finds his own special "home". An enchanting read!!
March 8, 2016
Most Excellent Story
Positively captivating tale of life in the outback. Having lived in Australia for a fair bit, it struck strong cords of familiarity within me. And gave the big red lands a face and names to see her more clearly.
Positively captivating tale of life in the outback. Having lived in Australia for a fair bit, it struck strong cords of familiarity within me. And gave the big red lands a face and names to see her more clearly.
Want to read
July 23, 2008another recommendation from sister
March 7, 2010
I want to go to Australia! Fifty years ago.
November 7, 2013
I got this book at a garage sale in Michigan. I didn't know it was part of a 5 book saga with generations of this family. Now I have them all and I'm going to start with #1.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews